An Taoiseach attending Informal EU Summit in Salzburg

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar travels to Salzburg today to attend an Informal Summit of EU Heads of State and Government. He is accompanied by the Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee.

The main focus will be on the EU's approach to inward migration, and the internal security of the Union. There will also be a meeting in Article 50 format to discuss the Brexit negotiations.

The Summit is chaired by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk as part of a series of informal meetings between EU leaders on the Future of Europe.

Speaking in advance of the visit, An Taoiseach said: “I look forward to meeting my EU counterparts in Salzburg, and discussing these important issues.

“Brexit is the priority for the Irish Government and I will emphasise the need for a legally operable backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement, and thank EU partners for their ongoing support and solidarity on this issue. As Michel Barnier, the EU's Chief Negotiator has said consistently, and as the European Council stated again in June, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

“Ireland is less directly affected by mass migration than many other Member States. However, in a spirit of solidarity, we have played a constructive role by opting into the EU relocation and resettlement measures, contributing a series of naval vessels to help with humanitarian efforts in the Mediterranean, and significantly increasing our humanitarian contributions. In recent months, we have also volunteered to take in migrants from vessels in the Mediterranean.”